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"A collaborative political resource." |
Backers of [Kalamazoo] gay-rights ordinance mobilize
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| Contributor | The Sunset Provision |
| Last Edited | The Sunset Provision Jan 08, 2009 12:20am |
| Category | News |
| News Date | Jan 08, 2009 12:00am |
| Description | When Max Tibbitts and his partner moved to Kalamazoo in the late 1980s, they were turned away from renting an apartment, he said.
Tibbitts said the complex had a policy against renting one-bedroom dwellings to two men. To him, it was clearly discrimination against a gay couple, but they had no legal basis to fight for what they feel is a basic human right.
Tibbitts was one of more than three dozen people who met Tuesday at the Arcus Depot in Kalamazoo to begin the fight to retain a city ordinance that makes it a civil infraction to discriminate against gay, lesbian or transgender individuals in housing, public accommodations or employment.
``I have a personal interest in equality,'' said Tibbitts, adding that he and his partner have experienced discrimination repeatedly over the years. ``This ordinance isn't just about being gay, it's about being human and being discriminated against.''
The ordinance took effect in December after the Kalamazoo City Commission approved it unanimously. But it was suspended this week after the American Family Association of Michigan filed enough signatures to require the commission to either repeal it or put it on the ballot for a citywide vote.
The City Commission has not determined the next step, but organizers of the effort to retain the ordinance say they can't wait.
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